10 Stocks of Convenience

Familiar faces likely to do well even in a down economy

Apple

If you want convenience, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has an app for that. The leader in smartphone innovation, Apple has an app for pretty much anything you could ever want or need. The device is truly a life enhancer. It can increase productivity, making everything from shopping, planning, scheduling, calculating, and playing more convenient. The only thing it won’t do is brush your teeth. The single most important stock to own should be very familiar to everyone by now. Apple is truly taking over the world and, in this case, that takeover is a good thing. Steve Jobs may no longer be at the helm, but don’t fret. Apple is positioned for long-term growth. The company will make money for investors for a long time to come.

Casey’s General Stores

When times are good we give little thought to making wasteful trips in our vehicle, running errands hither and yon. When times are tough we think twice about spending money on a trip that may not be necessary. We think even harder about the trips we take when gas prices are sky high. It makes sense, then, that Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ:CASY) will do well when budgets are tight and gas prices are as high as they are today. If you need to fill up the gas tank, why not pick up a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk while you’re at it? Given that the gas station is closer to your home than the grocery store, all the better. Gas stations are wise to the changes in behavior. They will stock shelves with more items that help customers eliminate that extra trip to the grocery, drug or video store. Casey’s is a growth story that is right down the street. It is a perfect convenience stock to own today.

News Corp.

News Corp. (NASDAQ:NWSA) and its Fox News Network may be loved by some and loathed by others, but for certain the company is well-known. It has been said that the best way to get attention is to have an opinion no matter what that opinion may be. Say what you will about News Corp., the company is capable of spewing opinions in mass quantity. In addition to its attention-grabbing news delivery, the company tailors its offerings for consumers with fading attention spans. We live in a sound-bite world. Nobody has time to sit through a 30-minute newscast at dinner. Give me the news in three minutes or less and I’m off doing other things. News Corp. has recently experienced a bit of a crisis as the phone hacking scandal in England has unfolded. Shares are now priced to allow investors to buy today at a discount. I would do just that as the thirst for news the way News Corp. delivers it grows.

Netflix

Netflix’s (NASDAQ:NFLX) home delivery of entertainment works well for the busy consumer who doesn’t have time or money for trips to the video rental store. The monthly fee model is wonderful for generating cash flow. The company is truly a game changer and its stock has been one of the best-performing in this challenging market. Will that trend continue? It would seem so. The next step for Netflix is video streaming direct to your computer or television. It may be a tricky maneuver, but given the brand equity of the company, success is likely to follow. Shares of Netflix may be volatile in the short run as it negotiates contracts with owners of content, but for the long term this convenience stock is to be owned for future profits.

MasterCard

Is there anything more convenient than paying for goods and services with a credit card? The explosion of plastic is something every investor should be very familiar with. Even with the financial crisis, MasterCard (NYSE:MA) is cleaning up. The company makes money every time a card is used. Today, as credit is tight, MasterCard is focusing on debit cards. Given the deteriorating faith in the dollar, the role of gold in the economy is on the rise. Look for MasterCard to figure out a way to capitalize on the popularity of bullion. Perhaps we will see the very first true gold card! Whatever the form of payment, MasterCard is sure to be there. It is a convenient stock that investors can safely own no matter what happens in the economy.